Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has postponed the commissioning ceremony of newly confirmed Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay, amid rising authorized considerations and fears of a looming constitutional standoff inside the judiciary.
The ceremony was initially scheduled for Friday final week, following Justice Gbeisay’s affirmation by the Liberian Senate. Nonetheless, sources inside the Govt Mansion advised FrontPage Africa that the President was suggested to delay the commissioning resulting from conflicting authorized opinions on the matter.
On the coronary heart of the controversy is whether or not Justice Gbeisay might be formally commissioned whereas outgoing Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh stays in workplace, concluding judicial issues from the March Time period of Courtroom. Chief Justice Yuoh lately turned 70, the constitutionally mandated retirement age, however continues to serve till all circumstances from the March time period are resolved, in keeping with judicial precedent.
Authorized consultants are divided. Some argue that the President can proceed with Gbeisay’s commissioning, permitting him to formally assume workplace when the Supreme Courtroom’s October Time period begins. Others warning that dashing the ceremony whereas Chief Justice Yuoh continues to be actively presiding might result in an unprecedented management conflict on the nation’s highest court docket.
FrontPage Africa has discovered that the ceremony was initially set for final Friday however was postponed primarily based on authorized recommendation supplied to the President.
Justice Yuoh’s ongoing tenure throughout this transition interval is in line with previous practices, however the timing of her substitute’s commissioning has sparked fears of a constitutional disaster if not rigorously managed.
Authorized analysts warn that any untimely try to put in Chief Justice Gbeisay might elevate constitutional questions and harm the integrity of the judiciary.
